Zelenskiy starts Davos speech with 'Groundhog Day' jab, urges Europe to defend itself

Bologna is pushing to keep its 30 kph citywide speed limit despite a court setback and opposition from Italy’s national government, citing sharp drops in accidents and fatalities. The policy, already adopted by Rome, has sparked a broader debate over road safety versus motorists’ concerns across Italy.

Andrea Rodriguez/Reuters

January 23, 2026

Zelenskiy starts Davos speech with 'Groundhog Day' jab, urges Europe to defend itself

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy opened his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (January 22) with a reference to the film "Groundhog Day," saying Europe and the wider world were trapped in a cycle of repeating the same debates while threats continue to evolve.

Recalling that he ended his Davos address a year earlier by saying "Europe needs to know how to defend itself," Zelenskiy said "nothing has changed" since then and that he was again forced to deliver the same message, arguing that each year brings new challenges for Europe and the world.

Earlier, Zelenskiy discussed progress on peace talks and air defence supplies at a "productive" meeting with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of Davos.

-Andrea Rodriguez/Reuters